ARE YOU AN

INSIDER

Crazy But True: We Can Predict an Oscar Winner Based on Their Nail Polish

Every awards season, we, the beauty-obsessed, are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed waiting for celebs to grace the red carpet so we can catch a glimpse of their hair and makeup. Of course, we also gawk at their incredible ensembles and bask in the sheer delight of their otherworldly presence, practically blinded by every sequin and sparkle. Admittedly, though, one element of their look that takes a bit of a back seat in our minds is their nails. Trust us—we love a good nail polish and an even better manicure, but it just doesn't immediately grab our attention like the other standout elements. However, we recently learned that we should have been paying way more attention to their digits all along.

Backstage at NYFW, a top celebrity manicurist and nail mogul revealed to us that when she's getting a client ready for the Oscars (or any award show), if she has a feeling that they're going to win, she'll paint their nails either a nude or pale neutral colour. The reasoning? When they hold the award for photographs, she doesn't want anyone to be distracted by a bright nail colour or intricate design. "The focus should be on the statue," she explains. Deeply fascinated by this, I decided to take a look through Oscar winners past and their nail colours. The results were shocking. Take a look for yourself below.

Exhibit A

1 / 8

PHOTO:

C Flanigan/Getty Images

Julianne Moore at the 2015 Oscars. The Nail colour? Nude.

Exhibit B

2 / 8

PHOTO:

Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez/Getty Images

Alicia Vikander was glowing after winning Best Supporting Actress in The Danish Girl. What's that colour on her nails? A barely-there sheer champagne (Deborah Lippmann Bring on the Bling—which is no longer available—to be exact).

Exhibit C

3 / 8

PHOTO:

Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images

Even back in 2002, neutral/pale nails were victorious, like Halle Berry's here, where she won for Best Actress for her role in Monster's Ball.

Exhibit D

4 / 8

PHOTO:

Ted Soqui/Getty Images

Brie Larson's big win in 2016 for her role in Room was greeted with—what else— nude digits. Her polish was a combination of Chanel Nail Polish in Ballerina ($28) and Chanel La Base ($28).

Exhibit E

5 / 8

PHOTO:

Frank Trapper/Getty Images

Lupita Nyong'o was a vision at the 2014 Oscars while holding her new hardware and showing off a pale pink mani.

Exhibit F

6 / 8

PHOTO:

C Flanigan/Getty Images

Patricia Arquette actually didn't have time for a manicure at the 2015 Oscars, but her look still fits the theory that nude/neutral nails=victory.

Viola Davis delivered a powerful and captivating speech while accepting her award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. She proudly held her first Academy Award with nails clad in Mink Muffs by Essie, a taupe-tinged nude.

Exhibit H

8 / 8

PHOTO:

Steve Granitz/Getty Images

La La Land might not have won Best Picture last year (we'll never forget that mix-up), but Emma Stone took home her first Oscar for Best Actress for the film. Her nail polish? A barely there translucent shimmer.

Another interesting tidbit: Jennifer Lawrence wore a pale pink/nude nail at the 2013 Oscars when she won, but at the 2016 Oscars, she wore black nail lacquer and lost to Brie Larson, who wore—you guessed it—a pale pink nail. Coincidence? We think not. Sure, there have been several nominees who also wore a nude/pale nail and lost, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a winner with a strong contrasting, bright, primary, jewel-toned, or detailed nail.